News Article

Daniels named first James Howard Means Chair

A TRUE HONOR: From left, William Crowley, MD, chief of the Reproductive Endocrine Unit and director of MGH Clinical Research; Daniels; and Slavin

The late James Howard Means, MD, served as the first chief of the MGH Thyroid Clinic – the hospital’s first specialty unit – until his retirement in 1951. He was known for his research on the thyroid gland and nurturing of young investigators, as well as for coordinating and mustering financial support in what was once known as Ward 4, the hospital’s first designated space for clinical research. In honor of his legacy, and through the support of anonymous donors, the hospital recently established the James Howard Means Endowed Chair. Staff, family and friends gathered Oct. 15 to celebrate the new chair and its first incumbent, Gilbert H. Daniels, MD, co-director of the MGH Thyroid Clinic, at the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation.

“The importance of endowed chairs is significant,” said Peter L. Slavin, MD, MGH president, one of several speakers at the event. “They are intended for prominent members of the faculty and are truly an honor. But the benefits for the incumbent, the hospital and the advancement of medicine extend well beyond honor. An endowed chair gives the incumbent the flexibility to pursue his or her clinical and academic activities with more vigor and flexibility than ever.”

In addition to his role in the Thyroid Clinic, Daniels is medical director of the MGH Endocrine Tumor Center and co-director of the MGH Endocrine Tumor Genetics Clinic. A prolific researcher and respected teacher, he is the recipient of the Distinguished Clinician Award of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Harvard Medical School Prize for Excellence in Teaching and the Distinguished Educator Award of the Endocrine Society. Daniels also is an active member of the leading associations in his field and has served in leadership roles for several of them. After his retirement, the chair will be renamed the Gilbert H. Daniels, MD, Endowed Chair.

Says Daniels, “This endowed chair will have a major impact on the ability of the Thyroid Unit to support excellence in clinical care, teaching and research for many decades to come.”